Northern Ireland: Murders

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the names of those people murdered to date in Northern Ireland in 2004, indicating which are considered victims of (a) paramilitary murders; (b) domestic murders; and (c) murders arising from street violence related to alcohol consumption.

Baroness Amos: The information requested is set out in the following table which has been provided by the PSNI.
	
		Murders recorded by the PSNI in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2004 to 2 December 2004
		
			 Names Date of death Victim type 
			 Adrian Thompson 01/01/2004 S. violence/A. consumption 
			 Sheila McStay 01/02/2004 Domestic 
			 Seamus Maughan 25/02/2004 Domestic 
			 Eric Atkinson 03/03/2004  
			 Colin McCarthy 21/03/2004  
			 Andrew Cully 24/03/2004 Paramilitary 
			 Megan McAlorum 12/04/2004  
			 Thomas Venus 25/04/2004 S. violence/A. consumption 
			 Brig Sharma 27/04/2004  
			 John Cooke 16/05/2004  
			 Richard Caldwell 30/05/2004 S. violence/A. consumption 
			 Kevin McAlorum 03/06/2004 Paramilitary 
			 Mai Na Qu 03/06/2004  
			 Brian Stewart 18/05/2004 Paramilitary 
			 William Trainer 13/06/2004 S. violence/A. consumption 
			 Paul Crymble 20/06/2004 Domestic 
			 Patrick Keenan 26/06/2004  
			 Christopher   Finnegan 15/07/2004  
			 Geraldine Kane 20/07/2004 Domestic 
			 Don McMenamin 29/07/2004  
			 George McDowell 29/07/2004  
			 Peter Gamble 08/10/2004  
			 Patrick Devine 13/09/2004  
			 Darren Thompson 01/10/2004 Paramilitary 
			 Noel Williamson 13/10/2004  
			 Mary Crilly 31/10/2004 Domestic 
			 Cathy Armstrong 12/11/2004 Domestic 
			 Robert McNamee 23/11/2004 S. Violence/A. Consumption 
			 David Hamilton* 29/11/2004  
		
	
	* Provisionally recorded as murder, awaiting confirmation.

Northern Ireland: Chichester Street Security Barriers

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 November (WA 101), what agencies were consulted about the Chichester Street security barriers in Belfast; what were their views; and when is a decision on their removal expected.

Baroness Amos: The PSNI at Musgrave Street, PSNI security branch and the judiciary were consulted about the removal of the security barriers at Chichester Street.
	At present the decision for removal of these barriers rests with the PSNI. They advise us that the overall security framework for Belfast city centre, of which these barriers form a part, remains under review.

Northern Ireland Police: Childcare Facilities

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the recommendations in Section 15, paragraph 11 of the Patten report regarding the introduction of childcare facilities, childcare vouchers and flexible shift arrangements for police officers have been put into effect.

Baroness Amos: With regard to the introduction of childcare facilities, as per Patten recommendation 123, focus groups have been held across the organisation with police and support staff in district command units and headquarters departments. The purpose of this was to assess staff needs in relation to childcare, to canvas opinion on some initiatives and capture suggestions on how to improve current policies.
	The findings of these focus groups, along with information from other police and non-police organisations, will be used to prepare a business case for childcare initiatives.

Northern Ireland Departments: Expenditure on Consultants

Lord Glentoran: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 September (WA 103), how much has been spent on consultants since June 2001 by each government department in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: The amount spent on consultants since April 2001 by each government department (excluding Agencies and non-departmental public bodies) in Northern Ireland is as follows:
	
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
			 Department of   Agriculture and Rural   Development 1,040,000 851,000 1,799,000 
			 Department of Culture,   Arts and Leisure 653,245 525,576 554,072 
			 Department of Education 179,734 657,954 1,040,537 
			 Department for   Employment and   Learning 913,342 411,635 430,038 
			 Department of   Enterprise, Trade   and Investment 869,955 1,465,423 2,113,827 
			 Department of Finance   and Personnel 2,062,533 1,664,398 2,533,049 
			 Department of Health,   Social Services and   Public Safety 1,074,983 837,103 595,396 
			 Department of the   Environment 133,553 402,426 482,071 
			 Department for   Regional   Development 639,000 428,000 1,037,000 
			 Department for Social   Development 1,223,000 1,809,000 1,985,000 
			 Office of the First   Minister and Deputy   First Minister 263,780 823,460 1,277,374 
			 Northern Ireland Office 1,346,975 2,421,395 2,170,315 
			 Total 10,400,100 12,297,370 16,017,679 
		
	
	Information on expenditure from June 2001 is not readily available as figures are compiled on a financial year basis and therefore the figures provided in the Answer are for April 2001 to March 2004.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 29) concerning allegations of staff bullying at Waterways Ireland, whether the 20 staff involved in the collective allegations approached the sponsoring departments more than once; whether the allegations concerned matters other than bullying; and, if so, what other matters the allegations concerned.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 2 December 2004 (Official Report, col. WA 13).
	The 20 staff involved have written to the sponsor departments three times and they have made allegations concerning the recruitment of directors and bullying and intimidation.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 October 2004 (WA 50) concerning the appointment of the head of administration (marketing and communications) division, what steps they took to confirm that there were no other potential candidates given that the post was not advertised.

Baroness Amos: The circumstances surrounding this appointment were as detailed in my Answer of 12 October (Official Report, col. WA 50) and I have nothing further to add.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the qualifications of the person appointed as director of marketing and communications at Waterways Ireland which enabled him to be appointed to the post without open competition.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 12 October 2004 (Official Report, col. WA 50) which detailed the circumstances of this appointment. I have nothing further to add.

Northern Ireland: Ex-Prisoners Assistance Committee

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Ex-Prisoners Assistance Committee was chosen to deliver a presentation at an office of the Northern Ireland executive in Brussels "Open Day" on 29 September 2004; who made the choice; and on what basis.

Baroness Amos: EXPAC was selected for presentation as one example of a project which would illustrate to a European audience the distinctiveness of the PEACE II programme from other EU Structural Funds programmes. Ex-prisoners are one of the named target groups for PEACE II. The project has been funded under the programme and fulfils the criteria and principles which were approved by the UK and Irish Government, the European Commission and the Northern Ireland Executive at the outset of the programme. The Special EU Programmes Body selected this project for presentation and a range of other projects for exhibition at the open days event.

Irish Language Broadcast Fund

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 14 January (WA 83), whether it is still their policy to create an Irish Language Film and Television Fund; if so, when; and what similar arrangements are to be put in place for Ulster-Scots under the policy of parity of esteem.

Baroness Amos: The Irish Language Broadcast Fund, which is expected to come on stream early this year, stems from a commitment in the Joint Declaration made by the UK and Irish Governments in April 2003. There was also a commitment to encourage support to be made available for an Ulster-Scots academy. I can confirm that the Government have given equal attention to both commitments and have earmarked a similar level of resources for both. My honourable friend the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure is currently considering a business case for an Ulster-Scots academy.

Conflict Resolution

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What principles they apply in working for conflict resolution; and how they attempt to ensure that agreements reached become self-sustaining.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Effort to prevent and resolve conflict, and build peace, is fundamental to HMG's multilateral and bilateral security activity. We are actively engaged around the world in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, for example, in Afghanistan, west Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans.
	The conflicts the Government are working to resolve are varied and complex: many are within states, rather than between them, and involve a disparate range of actors (both state and non-state). There is no single "one size fits all" approach to their resolution. But a number of principles apply in most cases, the most important being:
	that all parties to the conflict need to be engaged in the process of conflict resolution;
	that any peace agreement reached is owned by the parties and that both they and the international community are politically committed to it;
	that it is important to identify countries or other interest groups who have strong links to the country in conflict, and to engage them in support of the conflict resolution effort;
	that a measured approach, combining both pressure and incentives, and using a full range of political, diplomatic and other instruments is usually required; and
	that "quiet diplomacy" and the use of mediators (for example, United Nations (UN) or European Union appointed) can be effective tools.
	We recognise that reaching a peace agreement is only one part of conflict resolution. Once peace is achieved it must be sustained. Each situation is different, but again some important principles apply:
	a long-term approach is required;
	integrated mission planning for peace support operations is needed to ensure that immediate stabilisation links with transition to sustainable peace; and
	parallel action, engaging donors and international bodies, is often crucial in building a self-sustaining peace: for example, capacity building in the areas of governance, economy and rule of law. Programmes for security sector reform, transitional justice and disarmament, demobilisation and resettlement of combatants can play a key role.
	Against this background the Government are working hard to improve multilateral institutions' willingness and ability to act effectively in preventing and resolving conflicts and building peace, including in the UN, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and through the development of NATO and European Union security and defence capabilities. HMG will use their G8 Presidency in 2005 to reinforce efforts to improve security and stability in Africa. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has welcomed the report of the UN Secretary-General's high-level panel published on 2 December 2004 which makes a wide range of recommendations aimed at improving the international response to threats to global peace and security. HMG will be giving the UN Secretary-General firm support in taking this agenda forward.

Libya: Capital Punishment

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made, or plan to make, representations to the Libyan authorities about the death sentences passed on five Bulgarian nurses for allegedly spreading the AIDS virus.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I most recently raised the case with Libyan Ministers and senior officials when I was in Tripoli in October 2004. The Government have made representations on several other occasions including through joint statements with European Union partners.

Cyprus: EU Membership

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, after rejecting the Annan plan, Greek Southern Cyprus was admitted as a constituent member of the European Union; and what benefits now enjoyed by Greek Southern Cyprus are still withheld from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, particularly in relation to trade, travel and education.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The European Council decided at Helsinki in 1999 that a Cyprus settlement was not a precondition for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union (EU). On this basis, Cyprus signed the Treaty of Accession to the EU on 16 April 2003.
	The Republic of Cyprus, including the northern part of the island, is an EU member state, but the acquis remains suspended in the north. Therefore in practice, Turkish Cypriots living north of the green line are unable to enjoy most of the benefits of EU membership.
	With regard to travel, under UK Immigration Rules, Turkish Cypriots travelling on passports issued by the Republic of Cyprus have the same right of freedom and freedom to work in the UK as any other EU national. However, as the UK does not recognise the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", those travelling on documents issued by the authorities in the north are subject to immigration control. In the field of education, only Turkish Cypriots with Republic of Cyprus passports are eligible for EU fees at UK universities.
	The Government are committed to ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. Although Turkish Cypriots are currently unable to trade directly with the EU, a Commission proposal to that end is under discussion, as is a proposal to disburse 259 million euros of aid in the north. We fully support both proposals. The Green Line Regulation (GLR), agreed in August 2004, allows for limited trade across the green line. We support the Commission's proposals to amend the GLR to increase intra-island trade.

Entente Cordiale: Anglo-French Celebrations

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide a detailed assessment of the practical effects of the entente cordiale programmes between France and the United Kingdom last year.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The entente cordiale centenary provided an opportunity to further UK-French relations and strengthen shared interests and values. There were more than 340 different celebrations and 280 town-twinning exchanges. Many events were designed to leave a lasting legacy, and looked to the future by involving children and students. There was co-operation in education, youth, sport, science and the arts, as well as in trade and investment.
	The two Education Ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on educational co-operation, boosting several initiatives. The MoU will be delivered over three years through various agencies, including the British Council, the Teacher Training Agency and the Specialist Schools Trust. It is likely to be renewed in 2006. Partnerships between language and specialist schools were given a further boost, with 84 partnerships now in place. Regional links between UK and French schools have produced joint study projects and visits for students and teachers. The University of the Transmarche was established, with cross-Channel courses being developed between the University of Kent and French universities in Lille and Dunkirk. Over 400 exchanges took place each way through the Teacher Training Agency, providing initial teacher training in modern foreign languages. Various badged events raised more than £200,000 for cancer charities, and the entente cordiale cancer initiative—a programme of co-operation between Britain and France in cancer research—established a number of practical outcomes: joint work between the UK's National Cancer Research Institute and France's new National Cancer Institute; a fellowship exchange scheme between clinical research centres; travel and subsistence bursaries for collaboration between researchers at grass roots level; and a prestigious entente cordiale cancer prize to allow the brightest young cancer scientists from the UK and France to work with scientists of the other country.
	Her Majesty the Queen was warmly received by the French people in April 2004 during a state visit for the official launch of the centenary celebrations. President Chirac visited the UK in November as a special guest of Her Majesty, formally to round off the year. Against this successful backdrop of high-level exchanges and grass roots initiatives, the UK/French summit in November 2004 highlighted how Britain and France can achieve much when working together, and that there is more that unites us than divides us.

Israel and Palestine: London Conference

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will now reassess the need for the Government of Israel to take part in the Madrid-London meeting on Palestinian issues and re-open discussions with the new Israeli coalition government on this matter.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have no plans to reassess the need for the Government of Israel to take part in the 1 March London meeting. We are pleased that Prime Minister Sharon has made clear Israel's support for the London meeting. Israel recognises that it is intended to help the Palestinians build their institutions and prepare for Israel's disengagement from Gaza and part of the West Bank.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they will take to ensure close co-operation on weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation targets between the United Nations, NATO and the European Union; and what are their main priorities.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We continually seek to ensure close co-operation between the United Nations, the European Union and NATO on all subjects of relevance to the three organisations, including global threats such as those posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As active members of all three we seek to ensure all relevant work is co-ordinated through regular dialogue in order to avoid duplication of effort, and to focus the activities of each in areas where they may best add value to counter-proliferation efforts.

Army Restructuring

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Statement by the Lord Bach on 16 December 2004 (HL Deb, cols. 1444–45), which categories of the Armed Forces are "key specialist capabilities" which require "enhancement" in order "to meet the demands of multiple, concurrent and . . . expeditionary deployments across the full spectrum of military tasks", showing in respect of each such category
	(a) the numbers of the present establishment;
	(b) the numbers of those at present in place;
	(c) the proportion of those at present in place drawn from the reserves;
	(d) the target establishment planned when the measures outlined in the Statement have been completed;
	(e) the dates when the target establishment is expected to be attained; and
	(f) the proportion of the target establishment they expect to be drawn from the reserves.

Lord Bach: As part of the recently announced plans to restructure the infantry, the following arms and services will be enhanced in order to ensure that United Kingdom forces have the key enabling capabilities required to meet the demands of the envisaged future operating environment: Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Logistics Corps, and Intelligence Corps. These arms and services are listed below with:
	their establishment as at 1 December 2004;
	their anticipated enhanced establishment (note that this figure is provisional—the Army is continuing to work on the detail) following implementation, intended by April 2008; and
	strength (excluding full-time reserve service personnel and Ghurka) as at 1 December 2004:
	
		
			 Arm/service Establishment Enhancement (provisional figure) Strength 
			 Royal Engineers 10,020 +120 8,860 
			 Royal Signals 8,550 +371 8,840 
			 Royal Logistic   Corps 16,390 +396 15,560 
			 Intelligence Corps 1,840 +327 1,400 
		
	
	As at 1 December 2004, the number of mobilised reserves and full-time reserve service (FTRS) personnel serving with each arm and service, in addition to the strength figures given above, are as follows:
	
		
			 Arm/Service Mobilised reserves FTRS 
			 Royal Engineers 110 30 
			 Royal Signals 170 50 
			 Royal Logistic Corps 380 80 
			 Intelligence Corps 40 20 
		
	
	Mobilised reserves and FTRS personnel do not count against the full-time establishments for the arms and services. The target establishments for FTRS personnel in these arms and services following the implementation of the planned structural changes are still being worked through. Equally, the number of reservists mobilised in the future to serve with these arms and services will be entirely contingent upon the prevailing security climate.

Iraq: Air Support

Lord Garden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many offensive air missions against targets in Iraq have been conducted by United Kingdom aircraft since 1 May 2003; how many weapons were released; and what proportion of those weapons were precision weapons.

Lord Bach: No offensive air missions have been flown by United Kingdom aircraft against targets in Iraq since May 2003. However, UK aircraft provide close air support to coalition troops and on one occasion have released a weapon which was a precision guided bomb.

Asian Tsunami

Baroness Cumberlege: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many units from the Royal Engineers have been sent to Sri Lanka as a consequence of the tsunami.

Lord Bach: No Royal Engineer units have been sent to Sri Lanka.

Schools: Instances of Violence

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many instances of:
	(a) actual bodily harm;
	(b) grievous bodily harm;
	(c) rape;
	(d) indecent assault;
	(e) common assault;
	(f) battery;
	(g) murder;
	(h) manslaughter; and
	(i) abuse of position of trust were recorded on school premises against (i) teachers; (ii) other school staff; and (iii) pupils in England and Wales in each of the last two years.

Lord Filkin: Injuries involving violence to school staff in England and Wales in the past two years, reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were:
	
		
			  2002–03   2003–04 
			 Occupation Non-fatal major injury Over 3 day injury Non-fatal major injury Over 3 day injury All reported injuries 
			 Teachers 18 130 15 35 198 
			 Otheroccupations 17 138 8 45 208 
			 Total 35 268 23 80 406 
		
	
	(p) Provisional.
	Of the information requested, this is all that the Government collect.

Schools: Contraceptive Services

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their approach to condom vending machines located on school premises; and how many schools in England and Wales possess such facilities.

Lord Filkin: School governing bodies are responsible for deciding the services to be offered to pupils. The Government recommend that any decision to offer contraceptive services on school premises should be made in consultation with parents, and should be set out in the school's sex and relationship education policy.
	Information about the availability of condom vending machines in schools is not collected centrally.

Higher Education: French Studies

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many students graduated in French for the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of graduates that represented.

Lord Filkin: The latest available figures show that in 2003–04 1,830 students graduated with degrees in French Studies, which represents 0.4 per cent of the total number of graduates in that year. However, this will exclude some students who took a degree in Combined Studies which included French as one element of the course.
	Our national languages strategy emphasises the importance of encouraging students in higher education to take an active part in learning modern foreign languages and we shall continue to pursue this aim.

Schools: Unruly Pupils

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to give more powers to head teachers to remove unruly pupils from schools both temporarily and permanently.

Lord Filkin: No. Head teachers already have the power to exclude unruly pupils permanently or temporarily. The Government back head teachers' authority when pupils' behaviour warrants exclusion. Guidance for exclusion appeal panels makes clear that a permanent exclusion should not normally be overturned in a range of circumstances, including violence or the threat of violence.

Schools: Sex and Relationship Education

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to make sex education compulsory in schools in England and Wales.

Lord Filkin: Sex and relationship education (SRE) is already compulsory in all maintained secondary schools. It is discretionary in primary schools, though they are encouraged to have a sex and relationship education programme tailored to the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the children.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated cost to the Treasury of tax concessions detailed in paragraphs 6.5.1 and 6.5.3, page 99, of Volume 1 of the bid for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There is no real cost to the Exchequer. The income and gains that will be exempted will fall within the UK tax net only if the Games are held in London, and it is a non-negotiable condition of the contract offered to host cities that income and gains of participants will not bear local tax. In practice, the only way to ensure this and maximise the prospects for London's bid was to provide the tax concessions.

National Lottery: Regional Distributors

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the stated priorities of each regional body distributing lottery money throughout the United Kingdom; and whether such priorities are consistent throughout the country.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Individual lottery distributors make their decisions on awards independently of Government, but taking into account policy and financial directions issued by DCMS.
	Distributors develop funding programmes and identify their national priorities for funding after consultation. Many distributors also set regional priorities following local consultation and these, naturally, vary from region to region.
	We do not hold centrally information on the priorities for each region of each distributor. I have asked chief executives of the relevant lottery distributors to write to the noble Baroness and I will arrange for copies of the letters to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Pre-Budget Report 2004: Exchange Rates

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 December 2004 (Official Report, col. 1507), whether they will explain how the exchange rates underlying the Pre-Budget Report forecasts are made; and what exchange rate against the pound sterling is contained in the Pre-Budget Report forecasts for each of the years 2004–05 to 2009–10 for the euro, the United States dollar and the Japanese yen.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: As stated in the 2004 Pre-Budget Report (Cm 6408, footnote 2, page 159), the sterling exchange rate in Treasury economic forecasts is assumed to accord with an uncovered interest parity (UIP) condition, whereby the exchange rate index (ERI) moves in line with the differential between UK and foreign interest rates. Treasury forecasts do not make separate assumptions for the value of sterling against individual currencies: the UIP assumption is applied only to the ERI.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the turnout in the elections of governors to foundation trusts among those who had registered as members and as a percentage of the electoral roll.

Lord Warner: This is a matter for Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts). The chairman will write to my noble friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Stem Cell Research

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of recent research indicating that existing embryonic stem cell lines are unsafe for human use because of contamination with animal products.

Lord Warner: To date, most human embryonic stem cell lines have been cultured for laboratory research using nutritional support from animal cells. It is therefore not surprising that a recent United States study has demonstrated that many of the human embryonic stem cell lines, which can be used in federally-funded research in the US, are contaminated with a molecule from animal cells. As with any contaminated therapeutic product, these cells could never be used for clinical applications.
	Unlike the situation in the US, United Kingdom legislation permits the generation of new embryonic stem cell lines. UK researchers are well aware of the problem of animal contamination and are actively working on developing new embryonic stem cell lines which have been grown without using animal products.

Rail Vehicle Accessibility Exemption Orders

Lord Skelmersdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the 63 rail vehicle accessibility exemption orders listed on the Department for Transport's website apply to heritage railways.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Six exemption orders made under Section 47 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 apply to heritage railways and tramways. These grant exemptions to vehicles regulated by the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) and are operated by the Bristol Harbour Railway, Ffestiniog Railway Company, Furness Railway Trust, Isle of Wight Railway, Middleton Railway Trust and the Summerlee Heritage Park. A further three exemption orders apply to tourist railways. These are the Cairngorm Funicular Railway, East Hayling Light Railway, and Seaton Tramway.
	The RVAR are aimed primarily at rail vehicles that are used in a public transport role. However, some vehicles operated by heritage and tourist railways and tramways have been subject to the RVAR when old vehicles have been converted to such an extent that they have been categorised as "new" vehicles for the purposes of the regulations or, as with Ffestiniog Railway and Seaton Tramway, entirely new vehicles have been constructed.
	By their very nature, vehicles on heritage and tourist railways cannot meet many of the measures within the RVAR. However, officials from the Department for Transport work closely with the operators to ensure that accessibility is designed in wherever possible. Indeed, all these vehicles have some access features, even if they do not achieve full compliance with the RVAR—hence the need for these exemption orders.
	Exemption orders for vehicles operated on heritage and tourist railways are usually granted for the lifetime of that vehicle. This policy is supported by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, the department's statutory advisers on disability issues, which must be consulted on every exemption application.
	The Government are taking powers in the Disability Discrimination Bill to enable them to exempt heritage and tourist railway systems from the RVAR. We intend to consult on detailed proposals, including a list of railways and tramways to be exempted, during the passage of the Bill. Even where heritage and tourist railways are granted an exemption, we expect that these will be made subject to conditions to assist disabled people.

Rail Vehicle Accessibility Exemption Orders

Lord Skelmersdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many rail vehicles have ceased to be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act rail vehicle accessibility exemption orders; and for how long such orders were in place.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Some 100 rail vehicles have entirely ceased to be covered by exemption orders made under Section 47 of the Disability Discrimination Act. As shown in the table below, the exemptions granted to these vehicles lasted a maximum of 13 months.
	
		
			 Operator and class Number of vehicles granted exemptions Number of exemptions granted Expired so far How long were periods of exemption 
			 South Central 375/3 84 1 1 11 months 
			 South West Trains 170/3 16 2 2 1 to 13months 
		
	
	Exemption orders may contain exemptions from more than one of the requirements of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 and these individual exemptions may be for different time periods.
	A further 1,247 rail vehicles are subject to exemption orders in which some 51 exemptions have expired. These orders still have other exemptions outstanding.The table below lists those operators who have been granted exemption orders that contain an exemption that has now expired. As the table demonstrates, the length of time for which each of the expired exemptions was granted is between three months and five years.
	
		
			 Operator andclass Number of vehicles granted exemptions Number of exemptions granted Exemptions expired so far Time periods for expired exemptions 
			 One Anglia170/2 24 4 2 6 to 18months 
			 Central 170/5and 170/6 76 5 3 1 half to2 half years 
			 Chiltern 168/1 19 4 2 6 months to1 year 
			 South Eastern375 210 6 3 4 to 13months 
			 CroydonTramlink 24 10 6 5 to 11months 
			 GatwickExpress 460 64 17 4 9 to 21months 
			 c2c 357 184 8 4 1 to 1 halfyears 
			 MidlandMetro 16 12 10 4 months—21 quarteryears 
			 Arriva/Serco175/0 and175/1 70 6 5 9 months 
			 ScotRail 
			 170/4 72 4 3 3 months to4 years 
			 ScotRail 334 120 4 1 10 months 
			 SercoMetrolink 6 2 1 13 halfmonths 
			 South WestTrains 458 120 14 6 15 months to5 years 
			 Virgin 390 242 3 1 5 months 
			 Total 1,247 99 51

Parking Regulations: Traffic Wardens

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether parking regulations apply to traffic wardens and parking attendants when on duty; and whether the regulations are enforced on them.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Unless specifically exempted, parking regulations would apply to traffic wardens and parking attendants while at work. And they would be subject to the appropriate penalty for the relevant offence. It is the responsibility of the supervisory authority to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Lord Birt

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions (i) Lord Birt, and (ii) the Chancellor of the Exchequer met the Prime Minister in each month of the final quarter of 2004, distinguishing between:
	(a) bilateral meetings on policy or presentation;
	(b) informal policy meetings involving other Ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister;
	(c) informal policy meetings involving other No. 10 Downing Street staff, chaired by the Prime Minister; and
	(d) attendance at Cabinet or Cabinet Committee meetings; and
	On what aspects of Government policy Lord Birt has prepared written reports or recommendations; how many such reports there have been; and within which Government departments each such report has been circulated; and
	On how many occasions since 9 September 2004 the Lord Birt has met
	(a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer;
	(b) the Lord Chancellor; and
	(c) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
	to discuss government policy or for other official purposes.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice and the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Lord Birt

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Lord Birt—
	(a) has an office or offices in Whitehall and, if so, where and at what notional cost, calculated at current equivalent private sector rates per square foot; and
	(b) has any support staff provided to him or has use of office staff in Whitehall and, if so, what is the cost of that official time.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Lord Birt has the use of an office in No. 10. He has shared access to one member of support staff within No. 10. It would not be appropriate to identify separately those costs as to do so would reveal personal information about that individual's salary.

Lord Birt

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Lord Birt—
	(a) has the use of lunch or dining facilities in Whitehall;
	(b) has claimed any expenses in his role as strategic adviser and, if so, what sums have been claimed; and
	(c) has access to Downing Street or Cabinet office stationery and use of the government postal service.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Canteen facilities are available to all those working in Whitehall, including Lord Birt. Lord Birt is entitled to claim reasonable expenses incurred during his work. He claimed £168 for travel expenses in 2003, and £61.80 in 2004. Lord Birt has access to official stationery and the government postal service for official use.

Lord Birt

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Lord Birt has used the services of any consultants contracted to the Government or has had the cost of consultants met by the Government; and
	Whether Lord Birt has ever recommended the use of consultants by the Prime Minister or government departments; and, if so, for what purposes.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Lord Birt works alongside officials and Strategy Unit advisers on a range of issues. He is an unpaid adviser who does not have the power to contract with or select consultants on behalf of the Government.